That he and his halfpence should come to weigh down
Our subjects so loyal and true to the crown;
But I hope, after all, that they will be his own.
This book, I do tell you, is writ for your goods,
And a very good book 'tis against Mr. Wood's;
If you stand true together, he's left in the suds.
Ye shopmen and tradesmen and farmers, go read it,
For I think in my soul at this time that you need it;
Or egad, if you don't, there's an end of your credit.
A SERIOUS POEM
UPON WILLIAM WOOD, BRASIER, TINKER, HARDWAREMAN, COINER, FOUNDER, AND ESQUIRE.
When foes are o'ercome, we preserve them from slaughter,
To be hewers of Wood, and drawers of water.
Now, although to draw water is not very good;
Yet we all should rejoice to be hewers of Wood.
I own, it has often provok'd me to mutter,
That a rogue so obscure should make such a clutter:
But ancient philosophers wisely remark,
That old rotten Wood will shine in the dark.
The Heathens, we read, had Gods made of Wood,
Who could do them no harm, if they did them no good:
